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Where Is This ‘Slumping’ iPhone Demand?

Color me something of a numbers guy. Facts matter. Details matter. Numbers matter. Headlines are designed to attract readers to an article, regardless of topic, merit, fact or fiction.

That’s the nature of media, modern or ancient, yellow journalism or crisp commentary. Most of what people read are headlines and too often they are treated as fact rather than what they are most of the time– fiction. Examples?

Interwebs Fiction

Since Apple launched the iPhone in 2007 members of the technorati elite politburo, nattering nabobs of negativism all, have criticized Apple’s every move, and predicted the company’s and the iPhone’s impending demise (and iPad and Mac, et al.). Nothing has changed. Late last year Apple introduced three new iPhone models; XS, XS Max, and XR. Immediately, the anti-Apple chorus began singing demand for the new iPhones was soft because lines. Or, rather, no lines.

Across the board we’ve read about suppliers cutting revenue projections based on orders that were cut and that situation only applies to Apple. Just like it has every year since the iPhone began. To add to the standard chaos Apple CEO Tim Cook issued a non-standard earnings revision (the last was in 2002, and a higher percentage than Cook’s January 2nd missive). Why? China. 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Battery replacements.

Maybe anti-Apple critics know something Apple does not, but I suspect Apple and members of the company’s supply chain and retail distribution chain know far more about product demand than journalists who profit by pulling brown air out of places where the sun does not shine (often).

The problem with this whole public mess of misinformation is the effect it had on Apple’s stock, and the lack of facts to counter the fiction.

Where are the numbers? Where are the facts?

Cook’s revised guidance indicates last quarter will end up being the company’s second best quarter ever, which is to say, the second best quarter ever in any company’s history; yet, APPL took a bath. Since then, other technology companies have admitted they, too, will miss their targets, so it appears as if a general trend is taking place. General trend?

The “R” word. Recession.

First, China. Then the rest of the world.

Apple has not indicated that iPhone sales are in the dumpster elsewhere in the world but there are some facts in evidence. Sales. iPhones are being discounted like never before; promoted in new ways, designed, obviously, to move product. Now, does that mean iPhone sales in the U.S. and elsewhere are soft? Or, does it mean Apple is promoting iPhone sales in non-China markets to make up for the shortfall in China?

There is a difference, but the two options are not mutually exclusive. It’s just that both are exclusive of numbers and facts.

As is the case when the herd mentality rules the headline and link bait machines, time will tell. Personally, I think we’re heading into a recession of sorts, but of all the technology gadget makers in the world, which one is best positioned to handle the economic shortfalls?

Apple.

Such issues tend to be cyclical in nature and you’ll see it show up first in link bait headlines.

5G? Meh!

About Wil Gomez

I live in Brooklyn, New York and work in Manhattan; a Mac owner for almost 25 years, and an IT specialist on mixed platforms-- Mac, Windows, and Linux. Read more of my articles here. My fiancée is semi-famous Kate MacKenzie. Follow her on PixoBebo.